Image recording and reproducing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An image recording and reproducing apparatus can record and reproduce both of a digital signal and an analog signal. Operations of a broadcast receiving apparatus and a recording and reproducing apparatus are integrated and superimposition of information on an analog image is realized during recording and reproduction of a digital signal. The broadcast receiving apparatus and the recording and reproducing apparatus communicate with each other to be able to set and obtain states of the opposite apparatus, so that one of the apparatus notifies information of the other apparatus to a user and causes the user to set the information in a picture having the same form as a picture used to notify a state of one apparatus to the user and to cause the user to set the state. Further, before information is superimposed on an analog image signal, a signal conforming in phase to a reference signal of a digital signal is produced in a servo circuit and a reference signal of an analog image signal is supplied to an analog OSD circuit during superimposition of information. At the same time, a reference signal used in the servo circuit is changed over to the reference signal produced in the servo circuit. Thus, the user&#39;s operation is simplified.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an image recording and reproducingapparatus capable of recording and reproducing both of digital signalsand analog signals and more particularly to a reference signal necessaryto display a state of the image recording and reproducing apparatus in apicture and an operation method of the image recording and reproducingapparatus.

As a domestic apparatus for recording and reproducing image and audiosignals, an analog type video tape recorder (hereinafter abbreviated toas VTR) using a magnetic tape is now put to practical use.

On the other hand, a digital television broadcasting begins to be put topractical use as a television broadcasting for the next generation. Forexample, there is known a system in which the MPEG (Moving PictureExperts Group) system is used to code analog image and audio signals bythe high-efficient digital compression code and the coded signals arebroadcasted by means of a satellite and coaxial cables. Further, anintelligent receiver and decoder (hereinafter abbreviated to as IRD)which receives digital satellite broadcast and produces analog image andaudio signals also begins to be put to practical use.

The above digital broadcasting systems are described in detail in, forexample, the Journal of the Institute of Television Engineers of Japan,Vol. 47, No. 4 (1993), pp. 486-503, “5. Broadcasting Service Image”.

Furthermore, a VTR which can record and reproduce thedigital-compression coded image and audio signals in the digitaltelevision broadcasting or the like as the signals are digital andpossesses the interchangeability with a current analog VTR is beingdeveloped.

Such a VTR which can record and reproduce both of the digital signalsand the analog image and audio signals is considered to be configured asshown in, for example, Nikkei Electronics, No. 634, pp. 16-17.

It is not considered that a conventional VTR records such digitalbroadcast. It is premised that the conventional VTR records image andaudio signals supplied by a built-in tuner for receiving analogbroadcast. When digital broadcast is recorded, image and audio signalsproduced by the IRD are inputted from an external input terminals of theVTR to be recorded.

However, the VTR and the IRD are quite independent of each other. Forexample, in order to preengage to record a program of digital broadcast,it is necessary to set the preengagement in both of the IRD and the VTR.The operation methods of both the apparatuses must be memorized exactly.

Further, many VTRs being currently put on the market includes anon-screen display circuit (hereinafter referred to as OSD circuit) forsuperimposing information on an analog image signal and an operationstate or the like of the VTR can be reported to a user through a pictureof a monitoring television (hereinafter abbreviated to as TV). At thistime, in order to superimpose information on the analog image, it isnecessary to supply a complex synchronization signal which is areference of the analog image signal to the OSD circuit.

On the other hand, a reference signal inputted to a servo circuit is acomplex synchronization signal which is a synchronization signal for ananalog image in the case of recording and reproducing of analog signalswhile the reference signal is a digital synchronization signal outputtedby a digital signal processing circuit in the case of recording andreproducing of digital signals. The signal inputted to the servo circuitis different depending on the recording and reproducing times of analogsignals and digital signals.

In addition, in the conventional VTR, the servo circuit and the OSDcircuit are configured to be supplied with the same reference signal andit is impossible to superimpose information on the image signal uponrecording and reproducing of digital signals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide means forunifying operation methods of the VTR and the IRD in order to solve theabove problem.

It is another object of the present invention to make it possible tosuperimpose an analog image signal even during recording andreproduction operation of digital signals.

In order to achieve the above objects, the VTR and the IRD communicatewith each other so that the VTR and the IRD can set and obtain theoperation states and the set contents of the other apparatus and the IRDnotifies information of the VTR to the user by using the picture of thesame form as the picture in which the state of the IRD is notified tothe user and causes the user to set the state of the VTR by using thepicture of the same form as the picture in which the IRD causes the userto set the state of the IRD. Further, similarly, the VTR notifiesinformation of the IRD to the user by using the picture of the same formas the picture in which the state of the VTR is notified to the user andcauses the user to set the state of the IRD by using the picture of thesame form as the picture in which the VTR causes the user to set thestate of the VTR. In this manner, operations of the VTR and the IRD areintegrated and the user's operation is simplified.

Further, a signal having the phase coincident with a reference signalfor a digital signal is produced in a servo circuit before informationis superimposed on an analog image and a reference signal for an analogimage signal is supplied to the OSD circuit while information issuperimposed. At the same time, a reference signal used in the servocircuit is changed to the internally produced reference signal, so thatinformation can be superimposed on the analog image signal while therotation phases of the drum and the capstan are locked.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention and prior arts will nowbe described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a first embodimentof an image recording and reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows an external appearance of a remote controller used in thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a decoder used in the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 shows an example of a setting picture displayed by an IRD in thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 shows an example of a program guide picture displayed by the IRDin the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows an example of a setting picture displayed by a conventionalIRD;

FIG. 7 shows an example of a setting picture displayed by a conventionalVTR;

FIG. 8 shows an example of a program guide picture displayed by theconventional IRD;

FIG. 9 shows an example of a preengagement setting picture displayed bythe conventional VTR;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a secondembodiment of an image recording and reproducing apparatus according tothe present invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a third embodimentof an image recording and reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a fourthembodiment of an image recording and reproducing apparatus according tothe present invention;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a decoder used in the fourthembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a fifth embodimentof an image recording and reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a sixth embodimentof an image recording and reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a seventhembodiment of an image recording and reproducing apparatus according tothe present invention;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a servo circuitused in the present invention and shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a diagram explaining operation of a reference signalgenerating circuit used in the present invention and shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a diagram explaining operation of a square wave producingcircuit used in the present invention and shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a phase reference signal produced by aphase reference signal producing circuit in accordance with modes of theVTR;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an eighthembodiment of an image recording and reproducing apparatus according tothe present invention;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a ninth embodimentof an image recording and reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention; and

FIG. 23 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a tenth embodimentof an image recording and reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a firstembodiment of an image recording and reproducing apparatus according tothe present invention. The apparatus magnetically records and reproducesanalog image and voice on a half-inch tape of oxide by way of example.

In FIG. 1, numeral 100 denotes a video tape recorder (hereinafterabbreviated to as VTR), 200 an intelligent receiver and decoder(hereinafter abbreviated to as IRD), and 250 a monitoring television(hereinafter abbreviated to as TV). Further, arrowheaded single linerepresents a flow of image and audio signals and broken line representsa flow of control.

First, constituent elements of the VTR 100 are described.

Numeral 10 denotes external input terminals to which image and audiosignals for digital broadcast supplied from the IRD 200 are premised tobe inputted, 11 an input terminal for inputting an analog broadcastsignal, 12 an analog broadcast receiving tuner for receiving the analogbroadcast signal to be demodulated, 13 input change-over switches forchanging over input sources, 13V an image input change-over switch forchanging over an image signal, 13A an audio input change-over switch forchanging over an audio signal, 14 a signal processing circuit for imageand voice, 14V an image signal processing circuit for processing animage signal, 14A an audio signal processing circuit for processing anaudio signal and which operates so that a recorded signal is supplied toa magnetic head to be recorded upon recording and a signal reproduced bythe magnetic head is reproduced to be outputted upon reproduction, and15 an analog on-screen display circuit (hereinafter referred to asanalog OSD circuit) for superimposing information on the background ofan inputted image signal or an internally produced image signal. Displayof information on the background of the inputted image signal is namedsuperimposition display and display of information on the background ofthe internally produced blue or green image signal is named blue-backdisplay. These terms are used hereinafter. In the embodiment, the analogOSD circuit 15 is used to display operation states of the VTR 100 andthe IRD 200 in the superimposition display manner. Numeral 16 denotesoutput terminals for outputting image and audio signals from the VTR100, 20 a VTR system control circuit for controlling the whole operationof the VTR 100 by controlling all of the constituent elements of the VTR100, 260 a remote controller including buttons for operating the VTR 100and the IRD 200, 261 a receiving portion for receiving a user'soperation request from the remote controller to transmit the request tothe VTR system control circuit 20.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the remote controller 260 used in the firstembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, numeral 300 denotes apower button for turning on and off a power supply of the VTR 100, 301numerical buttons for inputting numbers, 302 and 303 channel up/downbuttons for increasing and decreasing the channel of the VTR 100, 304and 305 volume up/down buttons for increasing and decreasing the volumeof the TV 250, 306 a program guide button for displaying a program guidepicture, 307 a setting picture button for displaying a setting picture,308 a preengagement confirming button for displaying a preengagementconfirming picture, 309 a state display button for displaying currentoperation states of the VTR 100 and the IRD 200 in the superimpositiondisplay manner, 310 cursor buttons for moving a cursor on the settingpicture and the program guide picture vertically and horizontally, 311 adecision button for deciding an item indicated by the cursor, 312 arewind button for rewinding a tape, 313 a playback button for playingback the tape, 314 a rapid winding button for winding the tape rapidly,315 a record button for starting record, and 316 a stop button forstopping movement of the tape.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the VTR 100 includes a magnetic tapeconstituting a recording medium in which signals are recorded, amagnetic head for recording signals on the magnetic tape, a rotary drumto which the magnetic head is mounted, and a mechanism such as a capstanfor moving the magnetic tape, while these elements are not shown in FIG.1.

Next, constituent elements of the IRD 200 and the TV 250 are described.

Numeral 201 denotes an input terminal for inputting a digital broadcastsignal, 202 a digital broadcast receiving tuner for demodulating theinputted digital broadcast signal, and 203 a decoder for converting thedigital signal received by the digital broadcast receiving tuner 202into analog image and audio signals to be outputted. Further, thedecoder 203 has the function of displaying the outputted image signal inthe superimposition display or the blue-back display manner to displayinformation. In the embodiment, the function of displaying informationof the decoder 203 is used to display the setting picture and thepreengagement confirming picture in the blue-back display manner.Numeral 204 denotes output terminals for outputting the converted analogimage and audio signals. The image and audio signals outputted from theoutput terminal 204 are supplied to the input terminals 10 of the VTR100. Numeral 220 denotes an IRD system control circuit for controllingthe whole operation of the IRD 200 by controlling all of the constituentelements described above of the IRD 200. Further, the IRD system controlcircuit 220 is supplied with the digital information signal received bythe digital broadcast receiving tuner 202 and extracts informationincluding a program name, a broadcasting time, contents and the like ofa broadcast program named program arrangement information from thedigital information signal, so that a program guide picture having alist of contents of programs to be broadcasted in a few days can beprepared to be outputted as a picture of an image signal from thedecoder 203. Numeral 262 denotes a receiving portion of the remotecontroller, which sends a user's operation request from the remotecontroller to the IRD system control circuit 220.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of thedecoder 203, which includes an expander circuit 2031 for expanding acompressed digital signal, a digital on-screen display circuit(hereinafter referred to as digital OSD) 2032 for digitallysuperimposing information on an image portion of the digital signal, anda D/A encoder 2033 for converting the digital signal into analog imageand audio signals. The superimposition display and the blue-back displayare actually performed by the digital OSD circuit 2032.

Referring again to FIG. 1, numeral 251 denotes input terminals forinputting image and audio signals for the TV 250 supplied from theoutput terminals 16 of the VTR 100, and 252 denotes a monitoring picturefor displaying an inputted image signal.

The VTR 100 and the IRD 200 are connected through a communication line270. Numerals 271 and 272 represent connection terminals of thecommunication line 270.

When communication contents used in the first embodiment of the presentinvention are divided into a subject, a verb, a subjective object and anobjective complement, the subject represents an apparatus for atransmission source, the object represents specific operation states orset contents of a receiving destination, the verb represents setting oracquirement of a value for data indicated by the object, and theobjective complement represents contents set when the verb is set.

For example, when the IRD 200 sets the VTR 100 to a recording state, itis set that the subject=IRD, the verb=set, the subjective object=amoving state of the VTR and the objective complement=record. Such afunction of setting a state of the opposite apparatus allows the VTR 100to turn on and off the power supply of the IRD 200 and change thechannel and further allows the IRD 200 to change over a moving state ofthe VTR 100 to the record, stop, playback state or the like.Accordingly, the power supplies of the VTR 100 and the IRD 200 can beinterlocked with each other to be turned on.

Further, when the VTR 100 makes inquiries at the IRD 200 about thenumber of a channel being received, it is set that the subject =VTR, theverb =obtain and the subjective object=the channel number of the tunerof the IRD. Such a function of obtaining the state of the oppositeapparatus allows the VTR 100 to monitor the operation state of the IRD200 to detect a change thereof. Accordingly, when the operation state ischanged, a latest state of the IRD 200 can be displayed as characters ora picture by the analog OSD circuit 15. In the embodiment, a picturesuch as a state display picture for notifying information including theoperation state of the IRD 200 to a user in the superimposition displaymanner is displayed by the analog OSD circuit 15 controlled by the VTRsystem control circuit 20.

Further, the protocol includes means for understanding kinds of thesubjective objects and names thereof included in the opposite apparatusand kinds of the objective complements and names thereof capable ofbeing set in the subjective objects. This function allows the IRD 200 toobtain kinds of items to be set in the VTR 100 and names of the itemsand kinds of subitems to be selected for each of the items and names ofthe subitems and allows the digital OSD circuit 2032 to display asetting picture for the VTR 100. In the first embodiment of the presentinvention, a picture such as the setting picture and the preengagementpicture for notifying information including information of the VTR 100to the user in the blue-back display manner is displayed by the digitalOSD circuit 2032 controlled by the IRD system control circuit 220.

The reason why allotment of display of information is made is asfollows:

Since the digital OSD circuit 2032 has the function of displaying apicture for guiding digital broadcast programs, the digital OSD circuit2032 has a merit that the resolution of a picture is higher, the numberof colors is larger and kanjis higher than the first level can bedisplayed as compared with the analog OSD circuit 15, while characterscannot be displayed on the background of an image outputted by theanalog broadcast receiving tuner 12 or an image reproduced by themagnetic head. Accordingly, in the embodiment, the allotment is made sothat the superimposition display is made by the analog OSD circuit 15and the blue-back display is made by the digital OSD circuit 2032.

Actual communication between the VTR 100 and the IRD 200 is made betweenthe VTR system control circuit 20 and the IRD system control circuit220. Further, when the VTR 100 and the IRD 200 are communicating witheach other exactly, all of user's operation requests transmitted by theremote controller 260 are received by the VTR system control circuit 20and the IRD system control circuit 220 interrupts the receivingoperation thereof.

Operation of the recording and reproducing apparatus when variousbuttons of the remote controller 260 are depressed is now described asfollows:

In FIG. 2, when the power button 300 of the remote controller 260 isdepressed, the VTR system control circuit 20 turns on the power supplyof the VTR 100 and transmits a request for turning on the power supplyto the IRD 200. The IRD system controller 220 receives the request andturns on the power supply of the IRD 200. Thus, the power supplies ofthe VTR 100 and the IRD 200 are turned on in interlocked relationshipwith each other.

At this time, in FIG. 1, when contacts of the input change-over switches13 are in the connected state to respective A-sides thereof by means ofthe user's operation, an analog broadcast signal inputted from the inputterminal 11 to the VTR 100 is converted into image and audio signals bythe analog broadcast receiving tuner 12. The image and audio signals areoutputted through the input change-over switches 13, the signalprocessing circuits 14 and the analog OSD circuit 15 (only the imagesignal) from the output terminals 16, so that the program received bythe analog broadcast receiving tuner can be viewed and heard by the TV250. Further, when the contacts of the input change-over switches 13 arein the connected state to respective D-sides thereof, a digitalbroadcast signal inputted from the input terminal 201 to the IRD 200 isconverted into a digital information signal by the digital broadcastreceiving tuner 202 and further converted into analog image and audiosignals by the decoder 203 to be outputted from the output terminals204. Furthermore, these signals are inputted from the input terminals 10to the VTR 100 and outputted through the input change-over switches 13,the signal processing circuits 14 and the analog OSD circuit 15 (onlythe image signal) from the output terminals 16, so that the digitalroadcast program can be viewed and heard by the TV 250.

Next, in FIG. 2, when the state display button 09 of the remotecontroller 260 is depressed, the VTR system control circuit 20 performsthe following processing in accordance with the connection state of theinput change-over switches 13.

In FIG. 1, when the contacts of the input change-over switches 13 are inthe connected state to the A-sides thereof by the user's operation, theVTR system control circuit 20 sends information concerning an operationmode of the VTR 100 such as “stop, record and playback” and informationof a reception channel of the analog broadcast receiving tuner 12 to theanalog OSD circuit 15 and instructs the analog OSD circuit 15 tosuperimpose the information on the image signal.

Next, when the contacts of the input change-over switches 13 are in theconnected state to the D-sides thereof by the user's operation, the VTRsystem control circuit 20 obtains from the IRD 200 the channel numberreceived by the digital broadcast receiving tuner 202 and displaysinformation of the operation mode of the VTR and the obtained receptionchannel of the digital broadcast by means of the analog OSD circuit 15.

Further, when the channel up button 302 of the remote controller 260 isdepressed, the VTR system control circuit 20 performs the followingprocessing in accordance with the connection state of the inputchange-over switches 13. Further, numeral 303 denotes a channel downbutton for decreasing the channel.

In FIG. 1, when the contacts of the input change-over switches 13 are inthe connected state to the A-sides thereof by the user's operation, theVTR system control circuit 20 searches for a channel number of theanalog broadcast to be selected next and controls to tune the analogbroadcast receiving tuner 12 to the searched channel. Further, the VTRsystem control circuit 20 issues a display request of the channel numberto the analog OSD circuit 15 to display an image of the selected analogbroadcast and the channel number thereof on the monitoring picture 252.Operation of the VTR 100 at this time is the same as operation of theconventional VTR.

Next, in FIG. 1, when the contacts of the input change-over switches 13are in the connected state to the D-sides thereof by the user'soperation, the VTR system control circuit 20 sends a channel up requestto the IRD 200. When the IRD system control circuit 220 receives therequest, the IRD system control circuit searches for a channel number ofdigital broadcast to be selected next and controls to tune the digitalbroadcast receiving tuner 202 to the searched channel. When the VTRsystem control circuit 20 detects change of the reception channel of theIRD 200, the VTR system control circuit 20 issues a display request ofthe channel number to the analog OSD circuit 15 to display a image ofthe selected digital broadcast and the channel number thereof on themonitoring picture 252.

The above operation describes an example of the channel selection methodthat a broadcast signal is selected by means of the input change-overswitches 13 and a desired channel is selected by means of the channelup/down button. It is considered that, for example, channels aresuccessively circulated in a loop including the analog and digitalbroadcast channels in response to the channel up button or a desiredchannel of a desired broadcast is directly selected by the numericalbutton and contents of communication and control between the VTR 100 andthe IRD 200 at this time can be conjectured easily and accordingly arenot described particularly.

In FIG. 2, when the setting picture button 307 of the remote controller260 is depressed, the VTR system control circuit 20 sends a settingpicture display request to the IRD 200 since the setting picture isdisplayed by the decoder 203 of the IRD 200. When the IRD system controlcircuit 220 receives the request, the IRD system control circuitprepares data for the setting data and sends the display request to thedecoder 203. Further, when the VTR system control circuit 20 detectsthat the IRD 200 has displayed the setting picture, the VTR systemcontrol circuit connects the contact of the image input change-overswitch 13V to the D-side thereof. Consequently, the setting pictureproduced by the IRD 200 is inputted from the input terminal 10V to theVTR 100 and supplied through the image input change-over switch 13V, theimage signal processing circuit 14V, the analog OSD circuit 15 and theoutput terminal 16V to the input terminal of the TV 250 to be displayedon the monitoring picture 252.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the setting picture displayed by the IRD 200shown in FIG. 1. A picture 400 shows an example of a selection picturein which various setting pictures are selected. A hatched portion 401shows a cursor position being selected currently.

When the VTR system control circuit 20 receives a request of a buttonused in the setting picture while the IRD 200 displays the settingpicture, the VTR system control circuit 20 sends contents of the requestto the IRD 200 unconditionally, so that the IRD system control circuit220 changes over the setting picture in accordance with the receivedcontents or changes contents of set items. Buttons used in the settingpicture include the cursor button 310 for selecting the set items in thesetting picture, the decision button 311 for deciding the selected item,and the numerical buttons 301 for inputting numbers.

In the setting picture 400, when the decision button 311 is depressedwhile the cursor is positioned on “Video Mode Setting”, the IRD systemcontrol circuit 220 obtains from the VTR 100 kinds of items to be setand names of the items, subitems thereof to be selected and names of thesubitems and current set contents to prepare a setting picture for VTRand causes the decoder 203 to display a video mode setting picture.

A picture 410 shows an example of the video mode setting picturedisplayed by the IRD 200. In the video mode setting picture, numeral 411represents a current cursor position and numeral 412, 413 and 414represent currently selected items. A user moves the cursor onto asubitem of the item in which set contents are to be changed anddepresses the decision button 311 to change the set contents. In thepicture 410, when the decision button 311 is depressed, a “Skip ofPlayed-back CM” mode is changed from “on” to “off”.

When contents of the set item are changed, the IRD system controlcircuit 220 sends contents of the changed item to the VTR 100. The VTRsystem control circuit 200 receives the contents and rewrites internalstate data.

When the decision button 311 is depressed while the cursor is positionedon “End of Setting” in the setting picture, the IRD system controlcircuit 220 detects it and finishes displaying the setting picture. Whenthe VTR system control circuit 20 detects that display of the settingpicture has been finished, the VTR system control circuit 20 returns theprocessing of the operation request of the remote controller 260 to theusual operation and returns the image input change-over switch 13V tothe state before displaying a menu picture.

When the IRD 200 is displaying the setting picture, the VTR systemcontrol circuit 20 neglects a state display request from the remotecontroller 260. Further, when the setting picture is displayed duringdisplaying the state, the display of the state is finished. This reasonis that the setting picture displayed by the IRD 200 in the blue-backdisplay manner and the state display picture displayed by the VTR 100 inthe superimposition display manner do not overlap each other.

Further, the VTR system control circuit 20 neglects the setting picturedisplay request from the remote controller 260 during recording. Thisreason is that it is prevented that an image signal to be recordedbecomes a setting picture.

When the program guide button 306 of the remote controller 260 isdepressed, the VTR system control circuit 20 requests a program guidedisplay from the IRD 200. When the IRD system control circuit 220receives the request, the IRD system control circuit 220 extractsinformation such as program names, broadcasting times and contents ofbroadcast programs from program-arranged information included in thedigital information signal received by the digital broadcast receivingtuner 202 and prepares a program guide picture having a list of contentsof programs to be broadcasted in a few days. Further, the IRD systemcontrol circuit 220 obtains the channel number registered in the VTR 100and converts an analog broadcast channel into a form included in theprogram guide picture.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a program guide picture displayed in thefirst embodiment of the present invention. The channel numbers equal toor larger than 100 represent the digital broadcast programs, in whichtitles and broadcasting times obtained from the program arrangementinformation are displayed. The channel numbers smaller than 100represent the analog broadcast programs. Each channel is divided intoblocks each having 15 minutes.

When a digital broadcast program is preengaged, the cursor is moved on adesired program and the program is determined by the decision button311. When the desired program is determined, the IRD system controlcircuit 220 extracts a channel number, a start time and an end time ofthe determined program as preengagement information and sends theinformation to the VTR 200. The VTR system control circuit 20 receivesthe information and preserves it.

When an analog broadcast program is preengaged, some blocks each having15 minutes for a desired channel are selected so that a start time andan end time are decided in units of 15 minutes. A block corresponding tothe start time of the desired channel is selected to be decided and ablock corresponding to the end time of the same channel is then selectedto be decided so that all of blocks included between the start block andthe end block are selected. The picture 500 indicates that an analogbroadcast channel 8 is preengaged at 17:15 to 18:15 on Thursday, 27th.The IRD system control circuit 220 extracts the channel number, thestart time and the end time from the plurality of selected blocks aspreengagement information. The VTR system control circuit 20 receivesthe information and preserves it.

When the preengagement confirming button 308 of the remote controller260 is depressed, the VTR 100 and the IRD 200 perform the samecommunication and operation as at the time of displaying the settingpicture described above. However, in order to prepare the preengagementconfirming picture, the following operation is added thereto. That is,the IRD system control circuit 220 sends the VTR 100 to a request forobtaining contents of preengagement preserved in the VTR 100 andreceives a replay from the VTR 100 to prepare the preengagementconfirming picture.

When preengagement contents are deleted in the preengagement confirmingpicture, the IRD system control circuit 220 sends a deletion request forthe specific deleted preengagement to the VTR 100 and the VTR systemcontrol circuit 20 receives the request and deletes the pertinentpreengagement information from the preserved preengagement contents.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the contents of thepreengagement is preserved in the VTR 100, while preengagement contentsfor analog broadcast may be preserved in the VTR 100 and preengagementcontents for digital broadcast may be preserved in the IRD 200 by way ofexample. Further, all of preengagement contents may be preserved in theIRD 200.

In this case, operations in transmission and reception of preengagementinformation upon completion of setting preengagement, transmission andreception of a request for obtaining preengagement information upondisplaying a preengagement confirming picture and transmission andreception of a deletion request upon deletion of preengagement aredifferent from the operations described above, while the operations canbe considered easily and accordingly description thereof is omitted.

When the playback button 313 of the remote controller 260 is depressed,the VTR system control circuit 20 sets the signal processing circuit 14and the mechanism such as the rotary drum and the capstan to a playbackmode to set operation of the VTR 100 to the playback state.Simultaneously, a display request of character “Playback” is instructedto the analog OSD circuit 15.

Signals reproduced by the magnetic head are reproduced by the image andaudio signal processing circuit 14 and are outputted through the analogOSD circuit 15 (only image signal) from the output terminals 16, so thatimage and voice being reproduced can be viewed and heard by the TV 250.

Further, operation in the case where the menu picture and thepreengagement picture are displayed during playback is the same as theoperation upon stop described above.

When the record button 315 of the remote controller 260 is depressed,the VTR system control circuit 20 sets the signal processing circuit 14and the mechanism such as the rotary drum and the capstan to a recordmode to set operation of the VTR 100 to a record state. Simultaneously,a display request of character “Record” and the number of channel beingrecorded is issued to the analog OSD circuit 15.

Signals selected by the input change-over switch 13 are subjected torecord processing in the image and audio signal processing circuit to berecorded on the magnetic tape by means of the magnetic head and areoutputted through the analog OSD circuit 15 from the output terminals16, so that image and voice being recorded can be viewed and heard bythe TV 250.

Although described has been made above, the VTR system control circuit20 does not receive the display requests of the setting picture and thepreengagement confirming picture from the remote controller 260 duringrecord. This reason is that image signals to be recorded are preventedfrom being displayed on the setting picture and the preengagementconfirming picture.

Finally, record by preengagement is described. In the embodiment the VTR100 preserves preengagement information and accordingly description ismade to an example in which execution of preengagement is also performedby the VTR 100.

Execution of preengagement for analog broadcast is first described.

When the start time for preengagement is reached, the VTR system controlcircuit 20 turns on the power supply of the VTR 100 and connects thecontacts of the input change-over switches 13 to the A-sides. Further,the VTR system control circuit 20 tunes the analog broadcast receivingtuner 12 to a preengaged channel to start recording, so that a preengageanalog broadcast program is recorded. Furthermore, when the end time forpreengagement is reached, the recording is finished and the power supplyof the VTR 100 is turned off.

Next, execution of preengagement for digital broadcast is described.

When the start time for preengagement is reached, the VTR system controlcircuit 220 turns on the power supplies of the VTR 100 and the IRD 200and connects the contacts of the input change-over switches to theD-sides. Further, the IRD 200 is tuned to a preengaged channel to startrecording, so that a preengaged digital broadcast program is recorded.Furthermore, when the end time for preengagement is reached, therecording is stopped and the power supplies of the VTR 100 and the IRD200 are turned off.

In the embodiment, since the VTR 100 preserves all of preengagementcontents, the VTR 100 performs preengagement, whereas it is alsoconsidered that all of preengagement contents are preserved in the IRD200 and the IRD 200 performs preengagement. In this case, a series ofoperations including the turning-on of the power supplies of the VTR 100and the IRD 200, the change-over control of the input change-overswitches 13, the tuning of the analog or digital broadcast receivingtuner and the start of recording by the VTR 100 are considered to beperformed by the IRD 200. Since similar operations can be made byvarious methods and these methods can be considered easily, descriptionthereof is omitted.

Further, when the VTR 100 cannot communicate with the IRD 200, the VTRsystem control circuit 20 judges that the IRD 200 is not connected tothe communication line 270 and returns the operation of the VTR to theconventional operation, in which the setting picture, the preengagementpicture and the like are displayed by means of the analog OSD circuit15. Similarly, when the IRD 200 cannot communicate with the VTR 100, theIRD system control circuit 220 judges that the VTR 100 is not connectedto the communication line 270 and returns the operation of the IRD tothe conventional operation, in which the states of the current receivingchannel number and the like is displayed by means of the decoder 203.

Operations of the VTR 100 and the IRD 200 at this time are made by usingthe respective exclusive remote controllers.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show respective setting pictures displayed by the IRD 200and the VTR 100 in the prior art when the VTR 100 and the IRD 200 cannotcommunicate with each other. Operation at the time when the sub-voice ofdigital broadcast is recorded at the speed of three times is nowdescribed with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

A method of selecting voice of the IRD to the sub-voice by using an IRDexclusive remote controller is first described.

First of all, the setting picture button is depressed to display aselection picture 600 of the setting picture. In the picture displayedby the IRD 200, the cursor is moved onto a desired item by means of thecursor buttons and the decision button is depressed, so that the settingpicture of the item relative to contents thereof is displayed. Thehatched portion 601 represents a position of the cursor.

In this example, in order to select the audio signal, the cursor ismoved onto the portion “Selection of Image, Voice, Data” and thedecision button is depressed to thereby display the setting picture 610of image, voice and data. The hatched portion 611 indicates a currentposition of the cursor and the hatched portions 612, 613 and 614indicate currently set items. In the setting picture 610, since the“Main” voice is set as voice, the cursor is moved onto the portion of“Sub”-voice and the decision button is depressed to thereby change thesetting to “Sub”-voice. Finally, the cursor is moved to the “End ofSetting” positioned at right lower corner of the picture and thedecision button is depressed to finish the setting of voice.

Next, a method of setting a tape speed for record of the VTR to threetimes by using the VTR exclusive remote controller is described.

The setting picture button is first depressed to display a selectionpicture 700 of the setting picture. In the picture displayed by the VTR100, when a number button corresponding to setting contents desired tobe changed is depressed, a setting picture of an item pertinent to thecontents is displayed. In this example, the number button “2” isdepressed and a video mode setting picture 710 is displayed. The hatchedportions 711 indicate currently set contents. Since the current tapespeed for record is set to “Standard”, the number button “5” isdepressed to set the tape speed for record to “Three Times”. Further,when the number button “5” is depressed again, the tape speed for recordis returned to “Standard”. Finally, the setting picture button isdepressed to finish the setting.

Finally, the record button is depressed to set the VTR 100 to the recordstate, so that the digital broadcast program can be recorded in the formof “Sub-voice and three-times mode”.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the program guide picture displayed by the IRD 200and the preengagement setting picture displayed by the VTR 100 in theprior art when the VTR 100 and the IRD 200 cannot communicate with eachother. Operation at the time that video recording of digital broadcastis preengaged is now described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

A method for preengaging a desired program by the IRD by using the IRDexclusive remote controller is first described.

First of all, the program guide button is depressed to display a programguide picture 800. A list of broadcasting times and titles of a programto be broadcast in a few days is displayed on the program guide picture.When the cursor is moved onto a desired program on the program guidepicture by means of the cursor buttons and the decision button isdepressed, the program is preengaged. The hatched portion 801 indicatesa current position of the cursor. In the picture 800, news broadcastedby a channel 171 at 17:00 to 18:30 on Thursday, 17th is about to bepreengaged. In this state, when the decision button is depressed, thenews is preengaged and when the predetermined time is reached, receptionof the channel 171 is started.

Next, a method of setting preengagement of the VTR by using the VTRexclusive remote controller is described.

First of all, the preengagement setting button is depressed to display apreengagement setting time 900. In the preengagement setting picture, achannel, a recording date, a start time and an end time are inputted bythe numerical buttons and preengagement is set. When “00” is inputtedfor the channel, a signal inputted from the external input terminal ofthe VTR is selected. A picture 910 shows a picture when the numericalbuttons are depressed in order of “002717001830” and contents ofpreengagement are that the external input signal is recorded at 17:00 to18:30 on 27th”. When all of items are inputted and the preengagementsetting button is depressed, the set preengagement is preserved and thepreengagement picture is finished.

As described above, in order to preengage to video-record a digitalbroadcast program, it is necessary to set preengagement in both of theIRD and the VTR. Further, the user is required to memorize abroadcasting date and hour, a start time and an end time of a programpreengaged by the IRD and input these information in the VTR.

As described above, in the prior art, when the VTR 100 and the IRD 200cannot communicate with each other, the user's operation is verycomplicated, while it is possible to record a digital broadcast programin a desired mode and make preengagement record.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a secondembodiment of an image recording and reproducing apparatus according tothe present invention.

In the second embodiment, an operation request from the remotecontroller 260 is received by the IRD 200 and the IRD 200 and the VTR100 are operated. In FIG. 10, numeral 262 denotes a receiving portion ofthe remote controller, which sends the user's operation request from theremote controller 260 to the IRD system control circuit 220.

Operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 10 when the setting picturebutton 307 of the remote controller 260 of FIG. 2 is depressed is nowdescribed.

When the setting picture button 307 of the remote controller 260 isdepressed, the IRD system control circuit 220 detects it and preparesthe setting picture. Further, the IRD system control circuit 220supplies a display request to the decoder 203. The VTR system controlcircuit 20 detects that the IRD 200 has displayed the setting pictureand connects the contact of the image input change-over switch 13V tothe D-side. Thus, the setting picture is displayed on the monitoringpicture 252.

When the VTR 100 is performing record, the VTR system control circuit 20sends a request of ending the setting picture to the IRD 200 so that theimage signal being recorded is prevented from being displayed on thesetting picture and the state of the image input change-over switch 13Vis left as it is.

In this method, however, when the digital broadcast program is recorded,the setting picture is recorded on the magnetic tape until the IRD 200receives the end request of the setting picture from the VTR 100.Accordingly, the following operation can be considered. Before the IRDbegins to display the setting picture, the image produced by the VTR 100is required to be changed to an image for digital broadcast. If it isrejected by the VTR 100, display is canceled. The IRD system controlcircuit 220 monitors the moving state of the VTR 100 to cancel a displayrequest of the setting picture while the VTR 100 performs recording.

Further, it is also considered that both of the exclusive remotecontrollers of the VTR 100 and the IRD 200 are used to make operation.Contents of communication and operation of the VTR 100 and the IRD 200at this time can be conjectured easily and accordingly descriptionthereof is omitted.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a third embodimentof an image recording and reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention.

In the embodiment, an image output change-over switch 40V is disposedjust before the analog OSD circuit to select an image signal recordedand reproduced by the VTR 100 and an image signal supplied from the IRDto be outputted.

In the embodiment, since the contact of the image output change-overswitch 40V can be connected to the D-side to produce the setting picturedisplayed by the IRD 200 from the VTR 100, information can be displayedby the IRD 200 while a program of analog broadcast is recorded.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a fourthembodiment of an image recording and reproducing apparatus according tothe present invention. In the fourth embodiment, a decoder 213 whichproduces an image signal for record for always displaying an image ofdigital broadcast in addition to an image signal for displayinginformation by means of the digital OSD circuit 2032 is provided insteadof the decoder 203 used in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating internal constituent elements ofthe decoder 213 shown in FIG. 12. In the decoder 213 of FIG. 13, a D/Aencoder 2033A is added to the decoder 203 of FIG. 3 and the digitalsignal produced by the expander circuit 2031 is directly supplied to theadded D/A encoder 2033A. Thus, the image signal supplied withoutintervention of the digital OSD circuit 2032 is not used to displayinformation such as the setting picture and accordingly the image signalcan be used for recording.

Further, in FIG. 12, terminals for inputting image signals of two kindsproduced by the IRD 200 are provided in the VTR 100. The image inputterminal 10V connected to the input change-over switch 13 is suppliedwith the image signal for record and a newly provided image inputterminal 50 is supplied with the image signal for displaying informationsuch as the setting picture.

In this case, by connecting the contact of the image output change-overswitch 40V to the D-side, information such as the setting picturedisplayed by the IRD 200 can be displayed even during recording ofdigital broadcast in addition to during recording of analog broadcast.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a fifth embodimentof an image recording and reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention.

In the fifth embodiment, the VTR 100 controls the recording andreproducing apparatus to select one of analog image and audio signalsand a digital information signal to be recorded and reproduced.

When the digital information signal is recorded, the VTR system controlcircuit 20 connects the contacts of the input change-over switches 13 tothe D-sides and connects a contact of a digital signal input change-overswitch 230 to an R-side.

The digital information signal received by the digital broadcastreceiving tuner 202 is produced from a digital signal output terminal231 and is supplied from the digital input terminal 50 to the VTR 100,in which the digital information signal is subjected to recordprocessing in a digital signal processing circuit 51 and is recorded onthe magnetic tape by the magnetic head. At the same time, the digitalinformation signal is converted into analog image and audio signals bythe decoder 203 to be produced from the output terminals 204. The imageand audio signals for digital broadcast are inputted from the inputterminals 10 to the VTR 100, in which the signals are supplied throughthe input change-over switches 13, the signal processing circuits 14 andthe analog OSD circuit 15 (only image signal) from the output terminals16 to the TV 250. Thus, image and voice for the digitally recordedprogram can be viewed and heard by the TV 250.

At this time, since the digital information signal produced by the IRD200 from the digital output terminal 231 is a signal to which theinformation signal is not added by the digital OSD circuit 2032, thedigital information signal which is recorded digitally is not influencedat all even if information is displayed by the digital OSD circuit 2032.Accordingly, even when the image output switch is not provided as in thethird and fourth embodiments, information can be displayed by the IRD200 during digital record.

Further, when the digital information signal is reproduced, the VTRsystem control circuit 20 connects the contacts of the input change-overswitches 13 to the D-sides and connects the contact of the digitalsignal input change-over switch 230 to the P-side.

The digital information signal reproduced by the magnetic head isreproduced by the digital signal processing circuit 51 and outputtedfrom a digital output terminal 52. Further, the digital informationsignal outputted from the digital output terminal 52 is inputted to theIRD 200 from a digital input terminal 232 and is outputted through thedigital signal input change-over switch 230 and the decoder 203 from theoutput terminals 204 as the analog image and audio signals. Thesesignals are inputted to the VTR 100 again and supplied to the TV 250through the same path as in the digital recording to thereby be able toview and hear image and voice being played back digitally.

Further, operation at the time that an analog signal is recorded orreproduced is the same as that of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a sixth embodimentof an image recording and reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention.

In the sixth embodiment, the VTR 100 and the IRD 200 are not separatedand are integrally combined to form an integral recording andreproducing apparatus. In this case, input and output terminals forsignals transmitted between the VTR 100 and the IRD 200 are unnecessary.

In addition, since the IRD 200 previously understands kinds of settingitems, names of the items, subitems selected for each item, and names ofthe subitems preserved in the VTR 100, the IRD 200 can prepare thesetting picture for VTR by obtaining only a current state for thesetting items.

Further, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15, theremote controller is used to operate the VTR 100 and the IRD 200, whileoperation buttons disposed in main bodies of the VTR 100 and the IRD 200can be used to operate the VTR 100 and the IRD 200. Furthermore,measures for producing the states of the VTR 100 and the IRD 200 asinformation employ a picture using the OSD circuit, while it isconsidered that the measures can use information by voice.

FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating a seventhembodiment of an image recording and reproducing apparatus according tothe present invention. In FIG. 16, numeral 100 denotes a VTR, 200 anintelligent receiver and decoder (IRD) and 250 a TV.

First, internal constituent elements of the VTR 100 are described.

Numeral 1 denotes a one-chip microcomputer dedicated to the VTR andwhich includes a VTR system control circuit 20 composed of a centralarithmetic unit for performing arithmetic processing and a memory inwhich an operation algorithm and internal information are stored and inaddition to the VTR system control circuit 20, circuits necessary forcontrol of the VTR such as a servo circuit 1100 for controlling rotationof a drum and a capstan, and an analog OSD circuit 15 for superimposinginformation onto an analog image signal. Further, numeral 2V denotes ananalog image signal processing circuit for processing an analog imagesignal, 2A an analog audio signal processing circuit for processing ananalog audio signal, 2D a digital signal processing circuit forprocessing a digital signal, 12 an analog broadcast receiving tuner forreceiving analog broadcast, 13 input change-over switches for changingover input sources of analog image and audio signals, 5 a referencesignal change-over switch for changing over a signal inputted to theone-chip microcomputer 1, 110 input terminals for inputting analog imageand audio signals supplied from the IRD 200, 111 digital signalinput/output terminals for inputting and outputting a digital signal tothe IRD 200, and 16 output terminals for outputting analog image andaudio signals to the TV 250. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 16,there is provided the mechanism such as the magnetic tape constituting amedium for recording signals, the magnetic head for writing signals tothe magnetic tape, the rotary drum to which the magnetic head is mountedand the capstan for moving the magnetic tape.

A servo reference signal SREF produced by the digital signal processingcircuit 2D is a signal indicative to a timing for digital data recordedon one track and is used by the servo circuit 1100 as a reference phasefor a rotation phase of the drum and the capstan upon digital recordingand reproduction. A complex synchronization signal C_(sync) extractedfrom an analog image signal by the analog signal processing circuit 2Vis a signal indicative of a timing for analog image signal recorded inone track similarly and is used by the servo circuit 1100 as a referencephase for a rotation phase of the drum and the capstan upon analogrecording and by the analog OSD circuit 15 as a timing signal forsuperimposition of information onto an analog image. One of the servereference signal SREF and the complex synchronization signal C_(sync) isinputted to the one-chip microcomputer 1 by controlling the referencesignal change-over switch 5 in accordance with an operation mode of theVTR by means of the VTR system control circuit 20.

Next, internal constituent elements of the IRD 200 and the TV 250 aredescribed.

Numeral 202 denotes a digital broadcast receiving tuner for receivingdigital broadcast, 203 a decoder for converting a digital signal intoanalog image and audio signals, 230 a change-over switch for selecting asignal supplied to the decoder, 204 output terminals for outputting theanalog image and audio signals, 231 digital signal input/outputterminals for inputting and outputting the digital signal to the VTR100, and 251 input terminals for inputting the analog image and audiosignals.

Further, the VTR 100 and the IRD 200 are connected to each other througha communication line so that the VTR 100 and the IRD 200 can controlstates of the opposite apparatus. For example, the VTR system controlcircuit 20 of the VTR 100 is adapted to be able to change over a contactof the change-over switch 230 of the IRD 200.

Operation of the image recording and reproducing apparatus upon analogand digital recording and reproduction is now described in brief.

First, operation in case where a digital broadcast signal is recorded isdescribed.

When the digital broadcast signal is recorded, the VTR system controlcircuit 20 sets the digital signal processing circuit 2D, the analogimage signal processing circuit 2V and the analog audio signalprocessing circuit 2A to the recording mode and sets the servo circuit110 to the digital recording mode. Further, the VTR system controlcircuit 20 connects a contact of the reference signal change-over switch5 to the D-side, contacts of the input change-over switches 13 to theD-side, and the contact of the change-over switch 230 to the R-side.

The digital broadcast signal inputted to the digital broadcast signalinput terminal 201 is demodulated to the digital signal by the digitalbroadcast receiving tuner 202 is supplied to a digital signal outputterminal 2310 and the R-side contact of the change-over switch 230. Thedigital signal outputted from the digital signal output terminal 2310 issupplied through a digital signal input terminal 111I to the digitalsignal processing circuit 2D, in which the digital signal is subjectedto transmission path coding processing such as addition of an errorcorrection code and modulation and is supplied to the magnetic head.Further, the digital signal processing circuit 2D supplies a servoreference signal SREF which is a timing signal for recording the digitalsignal to the servo circuit 1100. The servo circuit 1100 controlsrotation phases of the rotary drum and the capstan to be coincident witha phase of the reference signal SREF, so that the digital signal isrecorded on the magnetic tape while describing a predetermined recordingtrack on the magnetic tape.

Further, the output of the digital broadcast receiving tuner 202 isinputted through the change-over switch 230 to the decoder 203 to beconverted into analog image and audio signals. The analog image signalis supplied through the output terminal 204V, the input terminal 110V,the input change-over switch 13V, the analog image signal processingcircuit 2V, the analog OSD circuit 15 and the output terminal 16V to theinput terminal 251V of the TV 250 and the analog audio signal issupplied through the output terminal 204A, the input terminal 110A, theinput change-over switch 13A, the analog image signal processing circuit2A and the output terminal 116A to the input terminal 251A of the TV 250to thereby be able to view and hear the digital broadcast program beingrecorded.

Operation in case where an analog broadcast signal is recorded is nowdescribed.

When the analog broadcast signal is recorded, the VTR system controlcircuit 20 sets the analog image signal processing circuit 2V and theanalog audio signal processing circuit 2A to the recording mode and setsthe servo circuit 110 to the analog recording mode. Further, the VTRsystem control circuit 20 connects the contact of the input change-overswitch 13 to the A-side and the contact of the reference signalchange-over switch 5 to the A-side.

The analog image and audio signals supplied from the analog broadcastreceiving tuner 12 are subjected to record signal processing in theanalog image signal processing circuit 2V and the analog audio signalprocessing circuit 2A and are supplied to the magnetic head. Further,the analog image signal processing circuit 2V supplies the complexsynchronization signal C_(sync) which is a timing signal for recordingthe analog image signal to the servo circuit 1100, which controls to therotation phases of the rotary drum and the capstan to be coincident withthe phase of the complex synchronization signal C_(sync), so that theanalog image and audio signals are recorded on the magnetic tape whiledescribing a predetermined recording track on the magnetic tape.

Further, the analog image signal is supplied through the analog OSDcircuit 15 and the output terminal 16V to the input terminal 251V of theTV 250 and the analog audio signal is supplied through the outputterminal 16A to the input terminal 251A of the TV 250, so that theanalog broadcast program being recorded can be viewed and heard.

Furthermore, operation in case where the digital broadcast signal isrecorded in the analog manner is the same as operation in case where theanalog broadcast signal is recorded except that the contacts of theinput change-over switches are connected to the D-sides.

Next, operation of reproducing a digital signal is described.

When the digital signal is reproduced, the VTR system control circuit 20sets the digital signal processing circuit 2D to the reproduction mode,the analog image signal processing circuit 2V and the analog audiosignal processing circuit 2A to the recording mode, and the servocircuit 110 to the digital reproduction mode and connects the contact ofthe reference signal change-over switch 5 to the D-side, the contact ofthe input change-over switch 13V to the D-side, and the contact of thechange-over switch 230 of the IRD 200 to the P-side.

The digital signal processing circuit 2D supplies the serve referencesignal SREF to the servo circuit 1100, which controls the rotationphases of the rotary drum and the capstan to be coincident with theservo reference signal SREF, so that the magnetic head reproduces therecorded digital signal. This signal is subjected to the oppositeprocessing to that of the recording time in the digital signalprocessing circuit 2D and is supplied through the digital signal outputterminal 111 o, the digital signal input terminal 231I and thechange-over switch 230 to the decoder 203 to be converted into theanalog image and audio signals. The analog image signal is suppliedthrough the output terminal 204V, the input terminal 110V, the inputchange-over switch 13V, the analog image signal processing circuit 2D,the analog OSD circuit 15 and the output terminal 16V to the inputterminal 251V of the TV 250, and the analog audio signal is suppliedthrough the output terminal 204A, the input terminal 110A, the inputchange-over switch 13A, the analog image signal processing circuit 2Aand the output terminal 16A to the input terminal 251A of the TV 250, sothat decoded image and voice of the digital signal being reproduced canbe viewed and heard.

Finally, operation of reproducing an analog signal is described.

When the analog signal is reproduced, the VTR system control circuit 20sets the analog image signal processing circuit 2V and the analog audiosignal processing circuit 2A to the reproduction mode and the servocircuit 110 to the analog reproduction mode.

The servo circuit 1100 controls the rotation phases of the rotary drumand the capstan to be coincident with the internally produced phasereference signal and reproduces the analog image and audio signalsrecorded by the magnetic head. The analog image and audio signals aresubjected to the opposite processing to that of the recording time inthe analog image signal processing circuit 2V and the analog audiosignal processing circuit 2A, respectively. The analog image signal issupplied through the analog OSD display circuit 15 and the outputterminal 16V to the input terminal 251V of the TV 250 and the analogaudio signal is supplied through the output terminal 16A to the terminal251A of the TV 250, so that the analog image and audio signals beingreproduced can be viewed and heard.

The recording and reproduction operations has been described roughly.Detailed operation of the reference signal change-over switch 5, theservo circuit 1100 and the analog OSD circuit 15 are now described withreference to FIGS. 17, 18, 19 and 20.

FIG. 17 schematically illustrates the one-chip microcomputer 1, akind-of-tape detection circuit 4 and the reference signal change-overswitch 5 extracted from FIG. 16 and further illustrates an internalconfiguration of the servo circuit 1100. Numeral 2000 denotes a phasereference signal producing circuit for producing a phase referencesignal constituting a reference of the rotation phase of the drum andthe capstan, 2026 a drum rotation control circuit for controllingrotation of the rotary drum, and 2027 a capstan rotation control circuitfor controlling rotation of the capstan. In addition, FIG. 17illustrates an internal configuration of the phase reference signalproducing circuit 2000. Numeral 2021 denotes a vertical synchronizationsignal producing circuit for extracting a vertical synchronizationsignal V_(sync) from a decoded synchronization signal C_(sync) toproduce a reference signal REFOUT, 2022 a square wave producing circuitfor producing a square wave REFIN having a predetermined period byutilizing a clock generated by a quartz-crystal oscillator or the like,2023 a change-over switch for selecting the signal REFOUT or the signalREFIN, 2024 a reset change-over switch for forcedly resetting an outputtiming of the square wave producing circuit 2022, and 2025 a frequencydivider for frequency-dividing the signal outputted from the change-overswitch 2023 into two. Further, control of the change-over switches 2023and 2024 and setting of a period to the square wave producing circuitare made by the VTR system control circuit 20.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining operation of the verticalsynchronization signal producing circuit 2021.

The vertical synchronization signal producing circuit 2021 includes acounter for performing counting up when an input signal is “H” andperforming counting down when the input signal is “L”, and an outputcircuit for producing a signal “H” when a count of the counter exceeds aprescribed value and a signal “L” when the count is smaller than theprescribed value. In FIG. 18, numeral 30 a denotes the complexsynchronization signal C_(snyc) produced by the analog image signalprocessing circuit 2V, and 31 a the synchronization signal SREF producedby the digital signal producing circuit 2D. Waveforms of the counter andwaveforms of the output signal at the time that the above two signalsare supplied to the vertical synchronization signal producing circuit2021 are represented by 31 a, 31 b, 30 c and 31 c.

The first portion of the signal 30 a, that is, the complexsynchronization signal H_(sync) corresponds to the verticalsynchronization signal V_(sync) and the latter half pulses correspond toa horizontal synchronization signal H_(sync). Each picture of the imagesignal is synchronized with the vertical synchronization signal V_(sync)and the vertical synchronization signal V_(sync) is used for thereference of the rotation phase of the drum and the capstan upon analogrecording. Since the period that the signal is “H” is longer than otherportions in the vicinity of the vertical synchronization signalV_(sync), the output waveform 30 c substantially conforms in phase tothe vertical synchronization signal V_(sync).

Further, the signal 31 a, that is, the portion where the synchronizationsignal SREF is “H” indicates an output timing of digital data for eachtrack produced by the digital signal processing circuit 2D and thesynchronization signal SREF is used for the reference of the rotationphase of the drum and the capstan in the digital recording andreproduction operation. Since the time that the synchronization signalSREF is “H” is sufficiently long, the output waveform 31C substantiallyconforms in phase to the synchronization signal SREF.

FIG. 19 is a diagram explaining operation of the square wave producingcircuit 2022 shown in FIG. 17.

The square wave producing circuit 2022 includes a counter reset at apredetermined period and an output circuit for producing a signal of “H”when a count of the counter is zero and a signal of “L” when the countis a predetermined set value. Further, the counter can be resetexternally. The reset period of the counter and the value in case wherethe output circuit produces the output “L” can be changed by the VTRsystem control circuit 20.

The square wave producing circuit 2022 continuously produces the squarewave of a predetermined period set by the VTR system control circuit 20when the square wave producing circuit 2022 is not reset externally,while when a reset pulse is applied thereto externally, the count isforcedly reset and accordingly a signal synchronized with the externalreset pulse is produced.

Operation of such a configuration is now described by putting emphasison the signal produced by the phase reference signal producing circuit2000.

First, analog recording and reproducing operations are described. Inthese operations, the contact of the reset change-over switch 2024 isconnected to the N-side.

In the analog recording operation, since the rotation phase of the drumis required to conform to an image timing for each field of the imagesignal to be recorded, the contact of the reference signal change-overswitch 5 is connected to the A-side and the contact of the change-overswitch 2023 is connected to the R-side, so that the two-divided signalof the vertical synchronization signal V_(sync) is produced as the phasereference signal. Further, in the analog reproduction operation, sinceit is necessary that the rotation phase of the drum conform to thesignal having the same period as the reference signal used in therecording operation, the contact of the change-over switch 2023 isconnected to the P-side and the same period as the verticalsynchronization signal V_(sync), that is, “{fraction (1/59.94)}” secondsis set to the square wave producing circuit 2022 to produce the signalhaving the same frequency as the reference signal in the recordingoperation as the phase reference signal.

In the analog recording and reproducing operations, since the contact ofthe reference signal change-over switch 5 is connected to the A-side,the complex synchronization signal C_(sync) is also inputted to theanalog OSD circuit 15 and information can be superimposed on the analogimage signal.

Next, digital recording and reproducing operations are described.

In the digital recording and reproducing operations, since it isnecessary to cause the rotation phase of the drum conforms to thereference signal SREF produced by the digital signal processing circuit2D, the contact of the reference signal change-over switch 5 isconnected to the D-side and the contact of the change-over switch 2023is connected to the R-side to thereby produce the two-divided signal ofthe reference signal SREF as the phase reference signal. Further, thecontact of the change-over switch 2023 is connected to the R-side andthe phase of the signal REFIN produced by the square wave producingcircuit 2022 is caused to conform to the phase of the servo referencesignal SREF. In addition, the reset period of the square wave producingcircuit 2022 is set to the same period as the reference signal SREFproduced by the digital signal processing circuit 2D, that is,“{fraction (1/60)}” seconds.

When information is superimposed on the analog image signal during thedigital recording and reproducing operations, the VTR system controlcircuit 20 sends necessary information to the analog OSD circuit 15 tocontrol display and connects the contact of the reference signalchange-over switch 5 to the A-side, the contact of the change-overswitch 2023 to the P-side, and the contact of the reset change-overswitch 2024 to the N-side.

Since the contact of the reference change-over switch 5 is connected tothe A-side, the complex synchronization signal C_(sync) is supplied tothe analog OSD circuit 15 and information can be superimposed on theanalog image signal. Further, since the contact of the change-overswitch 2023 is connected to the P-side and the contacts of the resetchange-over switch 2024 is connected to the N-side, the phase referencesignal producing circuit 2000 produces a square wave having the sameperiod as that set in the square wave producing circuit 2022, that is, asignal having the same period as the reference signal SREF. Further,since the square wave producing circuit 2022 is reset by the referencesignal SREF when information is not superimposed, the signal produced bythe phase reference signal producing circuit 2000 is a signal conformingin phase to the reference signal SREF and the rotation phase of the drumand the capstan is continuously controlled to the same phase as thatbefore the information is superimposed.

When the superimposition of the information is completed, the VTR systemcontrol circuit 20 returns the contacts of the reference signalchange-over switch 5, the change-over switch 2023 and the resetchange-over switch 2024 to the states set before superimposition of theinformation. Even at this time, since the phases of the signal REFINproduced by the square wave producing circuit 2022 during thesuperimposition of the information and the reference signal SREF arecoincident with each other, the rotation phase of the drum and thecapstan are continuously controlled to the same phase as that at thetime that the information is superimposed.

FIG. 20 shows a table in which the above states are summarized. Theconnection sides of the change-over switches 5, 2023 and 2025 and thesignals produced by the phase reference signal producing circuit 2000are shown for the states of the VTR shown on the left side.

As described above, even when the information is superimposed on theanalog image signal during the digital recording and reproductionoperations, the signal conforming in phase to the servo reference signalSREF is used as the phase reference signal and accordingly the rotationphases of the drum and the capstan are fixed before and after thesuperimposition of the information.

Further, it is considered that the servo circuit 1100 is caused toperform the same control as in the digital recording and reproductionoperations even during waiting, while operations of the reference signalchange-over switch 5 and the one-chip microcomputer 1 at the time thatthe information is superimposed on the analog image signal in this caseare quite the same as the operation in the digital recording andreproduction operations.

In addition, when the accuracy of the period of the output waveformproduced by the square wave producing circuit 2022 is not sufficient, itis considered that the phase of the signal REFIN produced by the squarewave producing circuit 2022 is gradually deviated from the servoreference signal SREF. It is not permissible that the phase of the phasereference signal REF is fluctuated during the digital recording andreproduction operations and accordingly when the accuracy of the squarewave producing circuit 2022 is not sufficient, the contact of thereference signal change-over switch 5 is fixed to the D-side not tosuperimpose information during the digital recording and reproductionoperations and the change-over switches are controlled as shown in FIG.20 only during waiting.

Further, it is judged whether the recorded signal is a digital signal oran analog signal during the reproduction operation so that operation ofthe VTR 100 is changed to the digital reproduction or the analogreproduction, while when the servo circuit 1100 is set to the digitalreproduction mode during the judgment in order to quicken detection of aheading for digital reproduction, the contact of the reference signalchange-over switch 5 is fixed to the D-side not to superimposeinformation at the beginning of the reproduction.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an eighthembodiment of an image recording and reproducing apparatus according tothe present invention.

In the embodiment, the VTR 100 and the IRD 200 shown in FIG. 16 or FIG.21 are not separated and are integrally combined to form an integralrecording and reproducing apparatus. In this case, input and outputterminals for signals transmitted between the VTR 100 and the IRD 200are unnecessary.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a ninth embodimentof an image recording and reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention.

In the embodiment, reference signal input terminals to the servo circuit1100 and the analog OSD circuit 15 are provided independently. With sucha configuration, since the analog OSD circuit 15 is always supplied withthe complex synchronization signal C_(sync) from the analog image signalprocessing circuit 2V, it is not necessary to change the connection ofthe reference signal change-over switch 5, the change-over switch 2023and the reset change switch 2024 even when information is superimposedon the image signal during the digital recording and reproductionoperations.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a tenth embodimentof an image recording and reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention.

In the embodiment, output change-over switches 6 for changing overanalog image and audio signals produced by the VTR 100 are added to theembodiment of FIG. 22. The contacts of the input change-over switches 13are connected to the A-sides and the contacts of the output change-overswitches 6 are connected to the D-sides to thereby be able to view andhear the digital broadcast program supplied from the IRD 200 whilerecording an analog broadcast program.

In such a configuration, when information is superimposed on an analogimage, it is necessary to superimpose information on the analog imagesignal produced from the VTR 100 instead of the recorded analog imageand accordingly a complex synchronization signal extraction circuit 7for supplying the complex synchronization signal C_(sync) to the analogOSD circuit 15 and the analog OSD circuit 15 for superimposinginformation is provided additionally after the output change-over switch6V.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described.

Further, in FIGS. 16, 21, 22 and 23, description has been made to theexample where the system control circuit, the servo circuit and theanalog OSD circuit are included in one chip, while the configuration ofthese circuits are not limited thereto and these circuits may beconfigured independently. In addition, in the foregoing description, theperiod set to the square wave output circuit in the digital recordingand reproduction operations is set to a fixed period, while the periodmay be set to a period of the reference signal SREF actually measured bythe system control circuit, for example.

As described above, according to the present invention, the VTR and theIRD communicate with each other so that the VTR and the IRD can set andobtain the operation states and the set contents of the other apparatusand the IRD notifies information of the VTR to the user by using thepicture of the same form as the picture in which the state of the IRD isnotified to the user and causes the user to set the state of the VTR byusing the picture of the same form as the picture in which the IRDcauses the user to set the state of the IRD.

Further, similarly, the VTR notifies information of the IRD to the userby using the picture of the same form as the picture in which the stateof the VTR is notified to the user and causes the user to set the stateof the IRD by using the picture of the same form as the picture in whichthe VTR causes the user to set the state of the VTR. In this manner,operations of the VTR and the IRD are integrated and the user'soperation is simplified.

Further, according to the present invention, since the reference signalof the analog image signal is always supplied to the analog OSD circuitduring superimposition of information onto the analog image signal andthe signal having the phase coincident with the reference signal SREF ofthe digital signal is used as the phase reference signal during thedigital recording and reproduction operations, information can besuperimposed on the analog image signal even during the digitalrecording and reproduction operations.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image recording apparatus including receiving means for converting a received signal into an image signal which can be recorded and outputting the image signal and recording means for recording the image signal supplied from said receiving means, wherein said receiving means comprises an information output circuit for outputting states of said receiving means itself and said recording means as information, and said receiving means obtains the state of said recording means, said receiving means outputting information of said recording means in the form substantially identical with a form used to output the state of said receiving means itself as the information by using said information output circuit.
 2. An image recording apparatus including receiving means for converting a received signal into an image signal which can be recorded and outputting the image signal and recording means for recording the image signal supplied from said receiving means, wherein said receiving means comprises an information output circuit for outputting states of said receiving means itself and said recording means as information, and an input circuit for setting the information outputted by said information output circuit, and said receiving means obtains the state of said recording means, said receiving means outputting the state of said recording means in the form substantially identical with a form used to output the state of said receiving means itself by using said information output circuit and setting the state of said recording means in the form substantially identical with a form used to set the state of said receiving means itself to output set contents thereof to said recording means.
 3. An image reproducing apparatus including receiving means for converting a received signal into an image signal in a specific form and outputting the image signal, and reproduction means for reproducing an image signal having the same form as the image signal produced by said receiving means, wherein said receiving means comprises an information output circuit for outputting states of said receiving means itself and said reproduction means as information, and said receiving means obtains states of said reproduction means and other receiving means, said receiving means outputting information of said reproduction means in the form substantially identical with a form used to output the state of said receiving means itself as information by using said information output circuit.
 4. An image reproducing apparatus including receiving means for converting a received signal into an image signal in a specific form and outputting the image signal, and reproduction means for reproducing an image signal having the same form as the image signal produced by said receiving means, wherein said receiving means comprises an information output circuit for outputting states of said receiving means itself and said reproduction means as information, and an input circuit for setting information produced by said information output circuit, and said receiving means obtains states of said reproduction means and other receiving means, said receiving means outputting the state of said reproduction means in the form substantially identical with a form used to output the state of said receiving means itself by using said information output circuit and setting the state of said reproduction means in the form substantially identical with a form used to set the state of said receiving means itself to output set contents thereof to said reproduction means.
 5. An image recording apparatus including receiving means for converting a received signal into an image signal which can be recorded and outputting the image signal and recording means for recording the image signal supplied from said receiving means, wherein said recording means comprises an information output circuit for outputting states of said recording means itself and said receiving means as information, and said recording means obtains the state of said receiving means, said recording means outputting information of said receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to output the state of said recording means itself as the information by using said information output circuit.
 6. An image recording apparatus including receiving means for converting a received signal into an image signal which can be recorded and outputting the image signal and recording means for recording the image signal supplied from said receiving means, wherein said recording means comprises an information output circuit for outputting states of said recording means itself and said receiving means as information, and an input circuit for setting the information outputted by said information output circuit, and said recording means obtains the state of said receiving means, said recording means outputting the state of said receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to output the state of said recording means itself by using said information output circuit and setting the state of said receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to set the state of said recording means itself to notify set contents thereof to said receiving means.
 7. An image reproducing apparatus including receiving means for converting a received signal into an image signal in a specific form and outputting the image signal, and reproduction means for reproducing an image signal having the same form as the image signal produced by said receiving means, wherein said reproduction means comprises an information output circuit for outputting states of said reproduction means itself and said receiving means as information, and said reproduction means obtains a state of said receiving means, said reproduction means outputting information of said receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to output the state of said reproduction means itself as information by using said information output circuit.
 8. An image reproducing apparatus including receiving means for converting a received signal into an image signal in a specific form and outputting the image signal, and reproduction means for reproducing an image signal having the same form as the image signal produced by said receiving means, wherein said reproduction means comprises an information output circuit for outputting states of said reproduction means itself and said receiving means as information, and an input circuit for setting information produced by said information output circuit, and said reproduction means obtains the state of said receiving means, said reproduction means outputting the state of said receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to output the state of said reproduction means itself by using said information output circuit and setting the state of said receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to set the state of said reproduction means itself to output set contents thereof to said receiving means.
 9. An image recording apparatus including a plurality of receiving means for converting received signals into image signals which can be recorded and outputting the image signals, and recording means for selecting one of the image signals supplied from said plurality of receiving means and recording it, wherein at least one of said receiving means comprises an information output circuit for outputting states of said at least one of receiving means itself, said recording means and other receiving means as information, and said at least one of receiving means obtains states of said recording means and said other receiving means, said at least one of receiving means outputting information of said recording means and said other receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to output the state of said at least one of receiving means itself as information by using said information output circuit.
 10. An image recording apparatus including a plurality of receiving means for converting received signals into image signals which can be recorded and outputting the image signals, and recording means for selecting one of the image signals supplied from said plurality of receiving means and recording it, wherein at least one of said receiving means comprises an information output circuit for outputting states of said at least one of receiving means itself, said recording means and other receiving means as information, and an input circuit for setting information outputted by said information output circuit, and said at least one of receiving means obtains states of said recording means and said other receiving means, said at least one of receiving means outputting the state of said recording means and said other receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to output the state of said at least one of receiving means itself by using said information output circuit and setting the states of said recording means and said other receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to set the state of the at least one of receiving means itself to output set contents thereof to said recording means and said other receiving means.
 11. An image reproducing apparatus including a plurality of receiving means for converting received signals into image signals in a specific form and outputting the image signals, and reproduction means for reproducing an image signal having the same form as the image signal produced by said receiving means, wherein at least one of said receiving means comprises an information output circuit for outputting states of said at least one of receiving means itself, said reproduction means and said other receiving means as information, and said at least one of receiving means obtains states of said reproduction means and said other receiving means, said at least one of receiving means outputting information of said reproduction means and said other receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to output the state of said at least one of receiving means itself as information by using said information output circuit.
 12. An image reproducing apparatus including a plurality of receiving means for converting received signals into image signals in a specific form and outputting the image signals, and reproduction means for reproducing an image signal having the same form as the image signal produced by said receiving means, wherein at least one of said receiving means comprises an information output circuit for outputting states of said at least one of receiving means itself, said reproduction means and said other receiving means as information, and an input circuit for setting information produced by said information output circuit, and said at least one of receiving means obtains states of said reproduction means and said other receiving means, said at least one of receiving means outputting states of said reproduction means and said other receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to output the state of said at least one of receiving means itself by using said information output circuit and setting states of said reproduction means and said other receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to set the state of said at least one of receiving means itself to output set contents thereof to said reproduction means and said other receiving means.
 13. An image recording apparatus including a plurality of receiving means for converting received signals into image signals which can be recorded and outputting the image signals, and recording means for selecting one of the image signals supplied from said plurality of receiving means and recording it, wherein said recording means comprises an information output circuit for outputting states of said recording means itself and said receiving means as information, and said recording means obtains states of at least one or more of said receiving means, said recording means outputting information of said at least one or more receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to output the state of said recording means itself as information by using said information output circuit.
 14. An image recording apparatus including a plurality of receiving means for converting received signals into image signals which can be recorded and outputting the image signals, and recording means for selecting one of the image signals supplied from said plurality of receiving means and recording it, wherein said recording means comprises an information output circuit for outputting states of said recording means itself and said receiving means as information, and an input circuit for setting information produced by said information output circuit, and said recording means obtains states of at least one or more of said receiving means, said recording means outputting the states of said at least one or more receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to output the state of said recording means itself by using said information output circuit and setting the states of said at least one or more receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to set the state of said recording means itself to notify set contents thereof to said at least one or more receiving means.
 15. An image reproducing apparatus including a plurality of receiving means for converting received signals into image signals in a specific form and outputting the image signals, and reproduction means for reproducing an image signal having the same form as the image signals produced by said receiving means, wherein said reproduction means comprises an information output circuit for outputting states of said reproduction means itself and said receiving means as information, and said reproduction means obtains a state of at least one of said receiving means, said reproduction means outputting information of said at least one of receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to output the state of said reproduction means itself as information by using said information output circuit.
 16. An image reproducing apparatus including a plurality of receiving means for converting received signals into image signals in a specific form and outputting the image signals, and reproduction means for reproducing an image signal having the same form as the image signals produced by said receiving means, wherein said reproduction means comprises an information output circuit for outputting states of said reproduction means itself and said receiving means as information, and an input circuit for setting information produced by said information output circuit, and said reproduction means obtains a state of at least one of said receiving means, said reproduction means outputting information of said at least one of receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to output the state of said reproduction means itself by using said information output circuit and setting the state of said at least one of receiving means in the form substantially identical with a form used to set the state of said reproduction means itself to notify set contents thereof to said at least one of receiving means.
 17. An image recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said receiving means for outputting information by means of said information output circuit receives a digital broadcast signal and outputs said image signal.
 18. An image recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said receiving means for outputting information by means of said information output circuit receives a digital broadcast signal and outputs said image signal.
 19. An image recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein at least one of said receiving means receives a digital broadcast signal and outputs said image signal.
 20. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information output circuit is supplied with an image signal and superimposes or overwrites an image signal for displaying information on said supplied image signal to be outputted, so that the information is outputted.
 21. An image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said information output circuit is supplied with an image signal and superimposes or overwrites an image signal for displaying information on said supplied image signal to be outputted, so that the information is outputted.
 22. An image reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said information output circuit is supplied with an image signal and superimposes or overwrites an image signal for displaying information on said supplied image signal to be outputted, so that the information is outputted.
 23. An image reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said receiving means for outputting information by means of said information output circuit comprises a digital broadcast receiving circuit for demodulating a digital broadcast signal and outputting a compressed digital image signal, an expander circuit for expanding said compressed digital image signal to output a digital image signal, and a digital-to-analog conversion circuit for converting said digital image signal into an analog image signal, and said information output circuit is supplied with said digital image signal and superimposes or overwrites a digital image signal for displaying information on said supplied digital image signal to be outputted, so that the information is outputted.
 24. An image reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said receiving means for outputting information by means of said information output circuit comprises a digital broadcast receiving circuit for demodulating a digital broadcast signal and outputting a compressed digital image signal, an expander circuit for expanding said compressed digital image signal to output a digital image signal, and a digital-to-analog conversion circuit for converting said digital image signal into an analog image signal, and said information output circuit is supplied with said digital image signal and superimposes or overwrites a digital image signal for displaying information on said supplied digital image signal to be outputted, so that the information is outputted.
 25. An image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said information output circuit included in said receiving means for outputting information comprises a circuit supplied with an image signal for superimposing or overwriting an image signal for displaying information on said supplied image signal to be outputted, so that the information is outputted, and said receiving means for outputting said information outputs at least a first image signal on which information is superimposed or overwritten by said information output circuit, said recording means including a first change-over circuit for selecting one of a plurality of image signals to output a second image signal, and a recording circuit for recording a supplied image signal, said recording means supplying at least said first image signal to said first change-over circuit, said recording means supplying said second image signal to said recording circuit, said recording means outputting said second image signal, said first change-over circuit selecting said second image signal to be outputted when said image output circuit is displaying the information.
 26. An image recording apparatus according to claim 22, wherein when said recording circuit is in a recording state, said information output circuit does not display information.
 27. An image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said information output circuit included in said receiving means for outputting information comprises a circuit supplied with an image signal for superimposing or overwriting an image signal for displaying information on said supplied image signal to be outputted, so that the information is outputted, and said receiving means for outputting said information outputs at least a first image signal on which information is superimposed or overwritten by said information output circuit, said recording means including a first change-over circuit for selecting one of a plurality of image signals to output a second image signal, a second change-over circuit for selecting one of two image signals to output a third image signal, and a recording circuit for recording a supplied image signal, said recording means supplying at least said first image signal to said first change-over circuit, said recording means supplying said second image signal to said recording circuit, said recording means supplying said first and second image signals to said second change-over circuit, said recording means outputting said third image signal, said second change-over circuit selecting said first image signal to be outputted when said image output circuit is displaying the information.
 28. An image recording apparatus according to claim 27, wherein when said recording circuit is in a recording state and said first change-over circuit selects said first image signal, said information output circuit does not display information, and said information output circuit included in said receiving means for outputting information comprises a circuit supplied with an image signal for superimposing or overwriting an image signal for displaying information on said supplied image signal to be outputted, so that the information is outputted, said receiving means for outputting said information outputting at least a first image signal on which information is superimposed or overwritten by said information output circuit and a second image signal on which information is superimposed or overwritten by said information output circuit, said recording means supplying at least said second image signal to said first change-over circuit.
 29. An image recording apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said information output circuit included in said receiving means for outputting information comprises a circuit supplied with an image signal for superimposing or overwriting an image signal for displaying information on said supplied image signal to be outputted, so that the information is outputted, and said receiving means for outputting said information outputs at least a first image signal on which information is superimposed or overwritten by said information output circuit and a second image signal on which information is superimposed or overwritten by said information output circuit, said recording means supplying at least said second image signal to said first change-over circuit.
 30. An image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said receiving means for outputting information comprises a digital broadcast receiving circuit for demodulating a digital broadcast signal and outputting a compressed digital image signal, an expander circuit for expanding said compressed digital image signal to output a digital image signal, and a digital-to-analog conversion circuit for converting said digital image signal into a first analog image signal, and said information output circuit included in said receiving means for outputting said information comprises a circuit supplied with said digital image signal and for superimposing or overwriting a digital image signal for displaying information on said supplied digital image signal to be outputted, so that the information is outputted, said information output circuit outputting at least said digital image signal which is not superimposed or overwritten and said first analog image signal, said recording means comprising a first change-over circuit for selecting one of a plurality of image signals to output a second analog image signal, and a recording circuit for selecting one of a supplied digital image signal and an analog image signal to be recorded, said recording means supplying at least said first analog image signal to said first change-over circuit, said recording means supplying the digital image signal produced from said receiving means and said second analog image signal to said recording circuit, said recording means supplying said first and second analog image signal to said second change-over circuit, said recording means outputting said second analog image signal, said first change-over circuit selecting said first analog image signal to be outputted when said information output circuit is displaying information, said information output circuit does not display information when said recording circuit is recording an analog image signal.
 31. An image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said receiving means for outputting information comprises a digital broadcast receiving circuit for demodulating a digital broadcast signal and outputting a compressed digital image signal, an expander circuit for expanding said compressed digital image signal to output a digital image signal, and a digital-to-analog conversion circuit for converting said digital image signal into a first analog image signal, and said information output circuit included in said receiving means for outputting said information comprises a circuit supplied with said digital image signal and for superimposing or overwriting a digital image signal for displaying information on said supplied digital image signal to be outputted, so that the information is outputted, said information output circuit outputting at least said digital image signal which is not superimposed or overwritten and said first analog image signal, said recording means comprising a first change-over circuit for selecting one of a plurality of image signals to output a second analog image signal, and a recording circuit for selecting one of a supplied digital image signal and an analog image signal to be recorded, said recording means supplying at least said first analog image signal to said first change-over circuit, said recording means supplying the digital image signal produced from said receiving means and said second analog image signal to said recording circuit, said recording means supplying said first and second analog image signal to said second change-over circuit, said recording means outputting said second analog image signal, said second change-over circuit selecting said first analog image signal to be outputted when said information output circuit is displaying information, said information output circuit does not display information when said recording circuit is recording an analog image signal and said first change-over circuit selects said first image signal to be outputted. 